When an Iowa coach, teacher or administrator is thought to be in violation of ethical standards, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners investigates and when appropriate imposes sanctions to their license.
Mackenzie Ryan / The Register

Jennifer Gay worked at Lenox Schools and Clarinda Academy.(Photo: Lenox Schools / Special to the Register)

Clarinda Academy often serves students from other states, and while the victim had returned to California, the school had agreed to pay travel expenses for him and his mother so the case could proceed.

The victim had already traveled once to Iowa to testify at a deposition, Varley said.

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners was seeking sanctions against Gay. It accused her of violating requirements of a license by "soliciting, encouraging or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student."

The state board oversees school licenses and authorizations, and typically waits for criminal cases to conclude before moving forward. Sanctions, if they are imposed, can range from a written reprimand to a suspension or permanent revocation.

In board documents, Gay denied the allegations, but agreed to settle the licensing case by accepting a written reprimand and completing 15 hours of an "ethics for educators" course.

Gay holds a master educator license with multiple endorsements, as well as a coaching authorization. She signed the state licensing agreement in late January.

Gay previously worked in Lenox schools from Aug. 16, 2010, to May 26, 2016, and left to take the position at Clarinda Academy, Superintendent David Henrichs said.

While at Lenox schools, she worked as a special education teacher and reading teacher. She also coached junior high volleyball and was a basketball cheerleading sponsor.